(AP)
Years after his death in a jail cell, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle claims from victims who allege abuse or trafficking by him over more than two decades.The proposed court judgment was filed Thursday and covers alleged assaults from January 1, 1995, through Epstein’s death in prison on August 10, 2019.
Epstein’s estate would pay $35 million if 40 or more people are eligible in the class, and $25 million if there are fewer than 40. Bloomberg News reported Thursday that the law firm representing the victims was confident they had at least 40 people who had not yet settled with Epstein’s estate.The co-executors of the settlement are Darren Indyke, Epstein’s former lawyer, and Richard Kahn, the financier’s former accountant. Both have denied any wrongdoing through their association with Epstein and have not been accused of any crimes.The judgment noted that the agreement does not mean the co-executors admit fault or are liable to further legal action from victims.The settlement must still be approved by a federal judge in New York before it can become final. The settlement follows the release by the US Justice Department of millions of documents, photographs, and videos related to the investigation into Epstein.Epstein cultivated a global network of powerful politicians, business executives, academics, and celebrities — many of whom have been tainted by their association with him.
